Sampler



was, 22, 1%31. J. GRAQE $3,837,858

SAMPLER Filed Feb. 17, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VIII/II ill a JOHN F. GRACE.

lN ENTOR ATTOR N EY Dec 22, E931.

Filed Feb. 17, 4 1928 v J. F. GRAQE SAMPLER 2 Sheets-$heet 2 JOHN EGQACE.

IN ENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, l fi l 50H F. GRACE, 9F ARLENGTQDT, NEW JERSEY, .ASSIGNQB. Til} 'WGBTEETGTOH PUMP 231D COBEGRATIOI-T, OF NEW YORK, Ii. Y., A C GILEQE-ATIDEI 0F until-11512 shamans.

Application filed February 1?, 1928. Serial Ito.

This invention relates to samplers and more particularly to a device designed to permit sampling of the product of a still, refinery or analogous apparatus, and an object of the invention is to provide a sampler, by means of which a sample quantity or" the liquid bein treated, or the resulting prodnot of the system may be obtained without permitting the entrance of air into the apparatus or system from which the sample is withdrawn.

More particularly the improved sampler is applicable for use in high vacuum distillation systems for the refining of petroleum. In equipment used in such systems, extensive precautions are taken to prevent the leakage of air into the systems and the resulting undesirable actions of such air; however, with the samplers of approved type now in use, a limited amount of air is admitted into the system, and such air, due to temperatures involved, is expanded many volumes to the partial air pressure, not total pressure, existing at the air pump suction inlet, and it is desirable to minimize to the greatest possible extent, the admittance of such air.

lhe present invention comprises a sampler, so designed that a sample of fluid may be withdrawn from the system, without affecting operation of the system, and one through which the leakage of oil into the system is eliminated.

The improved sampler comprises a closed chamber from which the sample of fluid is forced through an outlet cock by the collapsing of a bellows, thereby eliminating the necessity of an air vent for the chamber and consequent entrance of air into the system.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in various features of construction and combination of parts, which will be first described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing a sampler of the preferred form embodying the invention, and the features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

Fig. l is a vertical section through the improved sampler.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a modified form of the sampler.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sec-lon through a still further modified form or the sampler.

Fig. 4C is an enlarged detailed section or" the sampler illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved sampler is shown as connected in a fluid circulating system, such system being indicated by the pipes 1 and 2. In a system for the distillation of petroleum, the sampler would preferably be installed in the pipe between the oil distiller condenser and the receiving tank so as to permit the withdrawal of the sample for determining the nature of the product of the system and in various other types of liquid treating or distilling systems the sampler would preferably be installed in the pipe of the system at a convenient location before the delivery of the treated fluid to its receiving or storage tank. The improved sampler shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings comprises a main body 5 which is connected to the pipes 1 and 2 and has a chamber 6 therein which forms a continuation of the pipes to permit undisturbed flow of the fluid through the sampler at normal times. The body 5 has a suitable supporting platform 7 thereon adapted to hold a sample receiving bottle or container as shown at 8 and a cock or valved outlet 9 for the chamber 6 is provided, by means of which the sample of liquid may flow from the chamber 6 into the container 8. However, as referred to herein above, it is desirable to prevent the leakage of air into the system and because of this feature the chamber 6 is closed and does not have an air vent. Therefore to permit the forcing of the fluid out of the chamber 6 into the container 8, a bellows 10 is provided which opens into the chamber 6 through a suitable opening into the body 5. The bellows 10 is preferably welded to the body 5 so as to provide a fluid tight joint. A yoke 11 is attached to the body 5 and carries a threaded nut 12 upon which a hand wheel 13 is mounted. A feed screw 14 is connected to the bellows 10 and extends through the nut 12 so that by rotating the nut 12 through the medium of the hand wheel 13 the bellows 10 may be collapsed or expanded as desired.

Valves 15 and 16 are disposed in the pipes out of the valved outlet 9 into the container 8.

The valve 9 is then closed and being closed during the flow of liquid therethrough, no air will be permitted to enter the chamber 6 through the valve 9. After the valve 9 is closed, the valve 15 is opened and the bellows 10 is expanded by-rotation of the hand wheel 13, after which the valve 16 is opened and. the flow of the fluid through the chamber 6 is re-established.

To permit continued operation of the system durin the removal of a sample of the fluid there rom, a by-pass pipe 17 is provided which is connected to the pipes 1 and '2 outwardly of the valves 15 and 16. A valve 18 is provided in the by-pass pipe 17 so that when the valves 15 and 16 are closed for the withdrawal of a sample, the valve 18 may be opened to permit the fluid to flow about the sampler and when the by-pass pipe 17 is used, the valve 18 is closed after the opening of the valves 15 and 16, after the withdrawal of the sample.

Fig. 2 of the drawings shows a modified form of the improved sampler, which is sim ilar to the form illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings in all major aspects. differing therefrom only in the mechanism for collapsing or expanding the bellows 10. In the modified form illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, a yoke 20 is attached to the body 5 of the sampler and it has a quadrant 21 formed thereon with which the catch mechanism 22 carried by the lever 23 co-operates. The lever 23 is pivoted at 24 to the yoke 20 and it is also pivoted intermediate its ends as shown at 25 to the head 26 of the bellows 10, so that by moving the lever 23 the bellows 10 may be expanded or collapsed for creating pressure in the chamber 6' for forcing a sample of the fluid therefrom.

In Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings a still further modified form of the invention is shown and in this later modified form, means is provided to permit the taking of a sample of the fluid passing through the system without interrupting the flow of the fluid through the system. To accomplish the above result, the sampling chamber 30 is formed in a body c0upling 31 which is connected in the fluid circulating pipe system at any suitable point. The body coupling 31 is provided with a bore which aligns with the bore of the pipes 32 and 33 so as to permit the flow of fluid through the body coupling. However, a substantially cylindrical extension 34 is formed on the body coupling 31 and projects into the bore thereof. The extension 34 has by-pass open ings 35 communicating therewith which communicate with the chamber 30. A second chamber 36 is provided in the body coupling 31 and it has communication through a valved opening 37 with the chamber 30. The valve of the valve opening 37 is arranged to permit fluid to flow into the chamber 36 but prevents it from flowing from the chamber 36 into the chamber 30. A cock or valved outlet 38 is provided to permit the withdrawal of fluid from the chamber 36 into a suitable container 39.

The bellows 40 is attached to the body coupling 31 and has communication with the bore of the body coupling and the chamber 30 through an opening 41. The head 42 of the bellows is pivotally connected to a lever 43 which is in turn pivotally carried by a yoke 44. Suitable catch mechanism 45 is carried by the lever and co-operates with quadrant 46 formed on the yoke. A. piston rod 47 is connected to the head or coupling 42 of the bellows and it has pistons 48 and 49 mounted thereon in spaced relation to each other. The pistons 48 and 49 are spaced so that when the lever 43 is in its outward position, the piston 48 will be seated in the opening 41 while the piston 49 will be housed within the extension 34 between the inner end of the extension and the by-pass openings 35, thus permitting fluid to flow through the by-pass openings into the chamber 30 outwardly of the piston 49. l/Vhen the lever 43 is moved inwardly it will collapse the bellows 40 and move the pistons 48 and 49 inwardly, forcing the fluid which is confined in the chamber 30 through the valved opening 37 into the chamber 36 from which it may be drawn off into the container 39. The pis' ton 49 has a valved opening 50 to permit any fluid which may be confined in the chamber 30 between the pistons 48 and 49 0 pass through the piston and into the chamber 36. The movement of the pistons 48 and 49 will, due to the pressure of the fluid flowin through the pipes 32 and 33, cause the liqui to flow through the opening in the piston 49 and unseat the valve 50, after the piston 49 passes the openings 35.

Itwill be seen that when the lever 43 is in its outward position the flow of the fluid through the pipes 32 and 33 will be uninterrupted as it will flow between the two pistons outwardly of the inner end of the extension 34 and when the pistons are moved inwardly to force the fluid out of the chamber 30 the flow of the fluid through the system will also be uninterrupted during the withdrawing of a sample from the system.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown but that these may be modified widely within the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sampler for sampling the products of a still, the combination with the fluid piping system of a still, of a chamber having communication with said system and having a sample outlet, a valve normally closing said outlet and a manually operated pump for producing pressure within said chamber to force fluid through said sample outlet.

2. In a sampler for sampling the products of a still, the combination with the fluid piping system of a still, of a chamber having communication with said system and having a sample outlet, said chamber having an opening. a valve normally closing said sample outlet, a bellows connected to said chamber and disposed over said opening, and means for contracting and expanding said bellows to force sample fluid from said chamber upon contraction of the bellows.

3. In a sampler for sampling the products of a still, a chamber through which the products of the still normally pass, means for cutting off the passage of still products through the chamber, said chamber having a sample outlet, and means for producing pressure in the chamber when the chamber is so cut off to force a sample of the still products through said sample outlet.

4. In a sampler for sampling the products of a still, a chamber through which the products of the still normally flow, means for cutting ofi' the flow of the still products through the chamber, said chamber having a sample outlet, means for producing pressure in the chamber when the chamber is so cut ofl to force a sample of the still product through said sample outlet, and a passage to permit uninterrupted operation of the still system when the flow of the still product through said chamber is cut off.

5. In a sample for sampling the products of a still, a chamber through which the products of the still normally flow, said chamber having a sample outlet and an opening, a bellows connected to said chamber and disposed over said opening, and means for contracting an expanding said bellows to force fluid from said chamber through said sample outlet upon contraction of the bellows.

6. Ina sampler for sampling the products of a still, the combination with the outlet pipe of a still, of a chamber having openings communicating with the outlet pipe to permit the products of the still to flow through the chamber, said chamber projecting partly into said outlet pipe and having a sample outlet, and a piston for forcing sample fluid from said chamber through said sample outlet, said piston disposed to permit forcing of sample fluid from the chamber without interrupting the flow from the still.

7. In asampler for sampling the products of a still, the combination with the outlet pipe of the still, of a chamber having openings communicating with the outlet pipe to permit the products of the still to flow through the chamber, said chamber having a sample outlet and said outlet pipe having an opening, a valve normally closing said sample outlet, a bellows connected to said pipe and disposed over said pipe opening, a piston, means connecting said piston to said bellows, and means for moving said bellows and connecting means for creating pressure within said chamber upon collapsing movement of the bellows to force fluid from the chamber.

8. In a sample for sampling the products of a still, the combination with the outlet pipe of the still of a chamber having openings communicating with the pipe to permit the product of the still to flow through the chamber, said chamber having a sample outlet, said chamber projecting partially into said outlet pipe, and a pair of pistons spaced to permit uninterrupted flow of fluid from the still at any position of the pistons, said pistons movable for forcing sample fluid from the chamber through said sample outlet.

9. In a sampler for sampling the products of a still, the combination with the outlet pipe of the still, of a chamber projecting partially into said outlet pipe and having openings communicating with the pipe to permit the product of the still to flow through the chamber, said chamber having a sample outlet, a spring seated valve normally closing said sample outlet, a pair of pistons spaced to permit uninterrupted flow of fluid through the system at any osition of the pistons,said pistons movable or unseating said spring closed valve and forcing fluid from said chamber.

10. In a sampler for sampling the products of a still, the combination with the outlet pipe of the still, of a chamber projecting into the outlet pipe and having openings communicating with the pipe to permit the product of the still to flow through the chamber, said chamber having a sample outlet, a spring seated valve normally closing said outlet, a pair of pistons spaced to permit uninterrupted flow of fluid through the system at any position of the pistons, said pistons movable for unseating said spring closed valve and forcing fluid from said chamber, one of said pistons provided with an opening, and a non return valve cooperating with said opening to permit fluid to flow through the piston.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN F. GRACE. 

